Ignition launch
According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, at 17:17 Beijing time on April 24, 2025, the Long March 2 F Yao 20 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou 20 manned spacecraft was ignited and launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. About 10 minutes later, the Shenzhou 20 manned spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and entered the pre-determined orbit. At present, the astronauts are in good condition and the launch has been a complete success.
After the spacecraft enters orbit, it will conduct autonomous rapid rendezvous and dock with the space station assembly according to the pre-determined procedures, and the Shenzhou 20 astronaut crew will rotate in orbit with the Shenzhou 19 astronaut crew. During the work and life of the space station, the Shenzhou 20 astronaut crew will carry out a number of practical (test) experiments and applications in the fields of space life and human body research, microgravity physics science, new space technology, etc., carry out multiple out-of-cabin activities, and complete tasks such as the installation of space station debris protection devices, installation and recovery of out-cabin loads and out-cabin platform equipment.
This mission is the fifth manned flight mission for my country's manned space project to enter the application and development stage of space stations. It is the 35th launch mission since the project was established. As of now, 26 astronauts and 41 people have entered space to perform flight missions. This mission is also the 571st flight of the Long March series launch vehicle and the 20th flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft.
At present, the space station assembly has entered the docking orbit and is in good working condition, meeting the rendezvous and docking with the Shenzhou 20 manned spacecraft and astronauts.
(CCTV reporter Huang Xianwen and Wang Gang)
